Bruschi's Injury Remains Mystery

SUPER BOWL - The Buzz

New England Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi was not talking about an undisclosed injury he received against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game that has him questionable for Sunday's Super Bowl.

"We have never discussed what my injury is, and we're not going to start now,'' he said. "OK?''

OK. Nonetheless, he did address the chances of playing this weekend, saying only that he wants to.

"I'll do everything I possibly can to play in this game, and it's going to take a lot to hold me,'' he said. "If it's something I can manage -- and I can manage quite a bit of pain -- then I'll go.''

THE PICK

Two years ago, the Patriots were 14-point underdogs but upset the St. Louis Rams 20-17 to win Super Bowl XXXVI. This time, New England is a seven-point favorite against Carolina. That's a 21-point swing in pregame mentality.

"We try not to get caught up in who's favored and all that type of stuff,'' LB Roman Phifer said. "We just try to focus on what we have to do to be successful. We know we're facing a good team, and it's going to be a big challenge. We know they're a physical team and we feel we're a physical team, so it's going to be a battle out there.''

COMEDIANS NOT WANTED

Media Day is always good for some confrontations between the conventional sports media and the more free-spirited entertainment media that always converge on the Super Bowl.

One "media'' member from the Tonight Show actually asked Patriots S Rodney Harrison, "What's the weirdest place you've ever made whoopee with your wife?" Before Harrison could answer, Paul Zimmerman, the longtime pro football writer from Sports Illustrated, ordered the Tonight Show guy to "get the hell out of here."

The Tonight Show guy shot back, "Who are you -- the kicker?"

Fumed Zimmerman: "I'll kick your [expletive]."

UNDERDOGS, REALLY?

Panthers LB Dan Morgan, who went to the University of Miami, says he doesn't mind his team being an underdog.

"We like the role," he said. "It fit the past three weeks in the playoffs, and why would we want to change it now?"

History certainly supports Morgan's claim. Since the 1996 Super Bowl, only two favorites have covered: Denver in 1999 and Baltimore in 2001. Last year, Oakland was favored by 31/2 points and was thrashed 48-21 by Tampa Bay.

TURNOVER TURNAROUND

The Panthers had a minus-5 turnover ratio in the regular season -- the worst of the 12 playoff teams -- but have reversed the trend in the playoffs with a plus-8 ratio in three playoff games. The Panthers have only one turnover in the playoffs and have forced nine.

DREAMING OF THIS

Even though the Patriots have a decided advantage in Super Bowl experience, Panthers QB Jake Delhomme says he's also played in many Super Bowls.

At least in his mind.

Delhomme said he had many Super Bowl fantasies as a child and used to pretend he was Joe Montana leading his team to yet another Super Bowl title.

"I can remember playing at halftime of Super Bowls, going out and throwing a couple of touchdown passes and practicing my dance out in the front yard," Delhomme said.